Celebrating a Four-Million Strong Profession

Each year, May 6 to May 12 marks National Nurses Week. The celebration always concludes on the date of Florence Nightingale's birthday, which is May 12.

This week is a special time for the nursing profession.

It is a time for nurses and all of those in the nursing profession, from educators to innovators and nurse entrepreneurs, to celebrate and reflect. What do those in the nursing profession celebrate? Here is a short list: Our education, experiences, contributions, hard work, stories of saving lives, and the friends we have made. America’s four million registered nurses have had an overall positive impact on those to whom we provide care to.

As of 2016, “registered nurses” was number five on the list of occupations that employ the most people. Nurses, being highly specialized members of the healthcare team, have even been referred to as the backbone of healthcare.

We’ve taken the opportunity to collect from our nurse friends and colleagues a list of why they are proud to be nurses and why they have chosen nursing as a life-long career.

The Rewards of Being a Nurse

“As a young woman, I vacillated between becoming a lawyer or a nurse. I ultimately chose nursing and have never regretted it. I have advocated for patients in a different way, making an impact in other’s lives. Today, as a dean, I prepare the next generation of patient advocates.” — Mary Ellen Smith Glasgow, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN

“Nursing has opened multiple career paths for me including practice, research, teaching, and leadership. I feel blessed that at 18 years old I went to nursing school and it opened up opportunities that I never imagined!” — Ruth A. Wittmann-Price, PhD, RN, CNE, CNEcl, CHSE, ANEF, FAAN

“My mother was a huge influence on me becoming a nurse. I remember following the Johnstown flood of 1977 seeing my mother dressed in her uniform leaving to volunteer. I remember proudly thinking that my mom was going to help people, and I wanted to be like her.” — Karen Gittings, DNP, RN, CNE, CNEcl, Alumnus CCRN

“I chose nursing as a life-long career because I wanted to make a difference in the life of patients. I wanted to teach patients how to stay healthy and/or learn how to cope with illness and have the best life possible, be there for patients in the best of times and the worst of times. I love being a nurse.” — Dr. Deborah L. Hopla, DNP, APRN-BC, FAANP

“I learned about nursing from the mother of my best friend in high school. She had lots of stories that were much more interesting than stories from any other working friends’ parents I had. She was always willing to help and seemed educated on so many things. I thought, nursing couldn’t be a bad career to pick, I could help others and share all kinds of touching and entertaining stories. I learned at a young age nursing was a very rewarding occupation with unlimited job opportunities. I thank my mom for pushing me when I wasn’t always motivated for 5A clinicals and my dad for encouraging me to choose a career with job security. Nursing hasn’t let me down. It is absolutely a profession that is in high demand and will be for decades to come.” — Beth Telesz, MSN, RN

“The reason why I chose nursing as a life-long career was because as a little girl I witnessed how nurses took care of my Dad when he had rheumatic fever. They were always there checking on him and answering my Mom's questions. That moment impacted my life then and it still does today. I am very thankful to be able to make a difference in the nursing profession and in human life!” — Dr. Rhonda M. Brogdon, DNP, RN, MBA

“The reason I became a nurse is: Nurses — quite literally — save lives every day. Nurses do more than give medicine and treat wounds; they care about the patients they care for, helping them improve their lives and disease outcomes. As a nurse, you have the chance to leave a positive mark on someone’s life almost daily.” — Anthony Battaglia, MSN, RN

“Nursing and being a nurse are all about caring -- about the patients, their family, their environment, and their lives. I love being a nurse because nursing, more than any other profession, gives me the freedom and versatility to care in my own unique way. Happy Nurses Week!” — Chiko Umeweni, DNP, RN

“The reason I became a nurse is primarily to give hope and support to the ones going through rough times. Loneliness is frightening and if I can bring a bit of joy to a suffering child or help a terminal patient find comfort while slipping away, I will be next to them.” — Fabien Pampaloni MSN, RN

“Being a nurse allows me to not only use my intellect but also exhibit compassion in one’s time of need. I have been very blessed in my life and it feels so rewarding to put a smile on a patient’s face or promote reassurance...This profession provides me the avenue to give back to others.” — Dorie Weaver DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, CNE

“I choose the health care path because I love to help and work with people. It is my passion.” — Ileana Colon, RMA, RPT

“There was never a doubt in my mind that nursing was the profession for me. As many nurses who have gone before me, I wanted to be a nurse from a very young age. Even when others questioned my career path, I never wavered. My nursing career has been one of a privilege to assist patients in the most intimate and difficult struggles to maintain or regain their health. I try to impart this wisdom to all the nursing students that I have taught over the years. Teaching students to be the best nurse they can has been a passion of mine for many years. Becoming a nurse has been one of the best decisions of my life! Happy Nurses Week!” — Rosanna Henry, MSN, RN

Our team at Pocket Nurse would like to thank all nursing friends and customers for your commitment, contributions, great product ideas, and your business. Our success can greatly be attributed to our loyal customers, many of whom are nurses. Happy Nurses Week to All!